Unsolved? Bus Shelter Damages and Hate Messaging – 1 Year, 6 Months Later
- Wednesday, August 27th, 2025 - 8:22 am
- 4782
- 1 comment
Even though two groups have openly admitted to damages and hate messaging, Guelph Police have yet to provide any public updates on investigations into the widespread vandalism that has caused thousands of dollars in damage to bus shelters. These costs are ultimately borne by taxpayers, who are already facing a significant property tax increase.
On February 14, 2024, the Guelph Police Service was notified by the City of Guelph that more than 60 bus shelters across the city had their display cases opened, with existing advertisements removed and replaced with messaging that could be construed as political in nature. Police confirmed they were investigating both the property damage and the content of the posters, which included reports of hate messaging directed at Jewish members of the Guelph community.
Now, as these investigations remain without public resolution, Mayor Cam Guthrie is set to propose a new bylaw that would require private property owners to remove graffiti within a set timeframe or face fines. The proposal, intended to address the growing problem of graffiti and tagging across Guelph, would put the responsibility for removal on property owners while the city continues to manage the cost of repeated damage to public infrastructure such as bus shelters.
Today it was brought to my attention that many of our transit shelters across the city were vandalized with advertising space being replaced with posters that reflected political messaging. However, some were also replaced with messaging that clearly would be upsetting to members…
— Mayor Cam Guthrie (@CamGuthrie) February 15, 2024
Local Guelph ‘Street Artist’ who goes by Lionel, along with local activist group “Show Up Guelph”, who have recently blocked traffic on the Hanlon, had emailed local media and disclosed it was them that are responsible for the posters, damages and hate messaging.
Lionel once stated that he wishes to remain anonymous because he has also ‘hacked’ several bus shelter advertising spaces to display his poster-style works.
GuelphToday journalists have had communications with the groups – will they assist Guelph Police in the investigations is yet to be determined.
The Guelph Police Service is committed to protecting the Charter rights of our citizens. As we seek to ensure the safety of our community, any criminal acts of mischief, vandalism and the willful promotion of hatred will be investigated accordingly.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Constable Jagdeep Atwal at 519-824-1212, ext. 7436, email him at jatwal@guelphpolice.ca, leave an anonymous message for Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or leave an anonymous tip online at www.csgw.tips.
Login with Google
AlecPurves
It is disappointing to read the amount of vandalism that was caused, as well as misguided intentions.
Any destruction of public or private property should not be tolerated.